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It starts with stomach pain that you assume will disappear.
Maybe it begins around your belly button and later moves toward the lower right side. You feel nauseous, lose your appetite, or develop a fever. Suddenly, a routine day turns into a trip to the emergency department.
The obvious question is: “Could this be appendicitis, and do I need surgery?”
Appendicitis happens when the appendix becomes inflamed. It can become a medical emergency if the appendix bursts, so recognizing the warning signs and getting assessed promptly is important.
An appendix surgeon treats appendicitis and other conditions involving the appendix that may require surgical management.
A surgeon may evaluate and treat:
Acute appendicitis
Complicated appendicitis
Perforated or ruptured appendix
Appendix abscess
Recurrent appendix-related problems
Certain appendix tumours
Appendiceal masses
Laparoscopic appendectomy
For patients considering consultation with Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal, the priority is identifying whether your symptoms are actually caused by appendicitis and determining how urgent the situation is.
Appendicitis does not always begin with textbook symptoms.
Pain may initially appear around the belly button and later move toward the lower right abdomen. It may become worse when walking, coughing or making sudden movements.
You may also experience:
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Fever
Abdominal tenderness
Bloating
Constipation or diarrhoea
Increasing abdominal pain
Not everyone develops every symptom.
And abdominal pain has many possible causes, including kidney stones, infections, bowel problems and, in some patients, gynaecological conditions.
That is why self-diagnosis is risky.
Once appendicitis is diagnosed, treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the patient's circumstances.
For many patients with acute appendicitis, removal of the appendix — called an appendectomy — is recommended.
The appendix can perforate or rupture if inflammation progresses.
A ruptured appendix can allow infection to spread inside the abdomen and may lead to an abscess or a serious abdominal infection.
This is why persistent or worsening symptoms should not be ignored.
In many suitable patients, appendectomy can be performed laparoscopically.
The surgeon uses a camera and small incisions rather than making one larger abdominal incision.
Patients sometimes search specifically for “laparoscopic appendix surgery” before they even know whether they have appendicitis.
That puts the focus in the wrong place.
The first question is what is causing the pain?
Once the diagnosis is established, your surgeon can explain which surgical approach is safest and most appropriate.
Consider someone who develops abdominal pain in the evening.
At first, they assume it is gas and take an antacid. By the next morning, the pain has become stronger and is concentrated on the lower right side, with nausea and fever.
They seek medical attention and are diagnosed with acute appendicitis.
Because the appendix is inflamed and the symptoms are progressing, the surgical team recommends an appendectomy rather than sending the patient home to wait.
The lesson is simple: temporary relief does not necessarily mean the underlying problem has gone away.
Appendicitis is one of the most common abdominal emergencies.
A 2024 systematic review published in the International Journal of Surgery estimated the global incidence of acute appendicitis at approximately 100 cases per 100,000 person-years, although rates vary significantly between populations and regions.
The important takeaway is not the exact number.
It is that appendicitis is common enough that persistent, worsening abdominal pain should be taken seriously.
You may hear: “Wait and see if the pain gets worse before going to a doctor.”
We would challenge that advice.
With appendicitis, waiting for unbearable pain is not a sensible test.
Symptoms can progress, and the risk of complications can increase if treatment is delayed.
If you have new, persistent abdominal pain — particularly pain moving toward the lower right side with fever, nausea or loss of appetite — getting assessed is safer than trying to predict what will happen at home.
In selected cases, antibiotics may be considered as an alternative to immediate surgery.
However, this does not mean antibiotics are appropriate for everyone, and recurrence or the need for later surgery can be an issue.
Your surgeon will consider the type and severity of appendicitis, imaging findings, overall health and other factors before recommending a treatment approach.
Every appendicitis case is different.
A straightforward case may be managed differently from an appendix abscess or perforated appendix.
That is why medical evaluation matters.
Seek urgent medical attention for severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, especially when accompanied by fever, repeated vomiting, abdominal swelling, fainting, extreme weakness or significant tenderness.
Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable.
If the appendix has ruptured, treatment can become more complicated and may require antibiotics, drainage or more extensive surgery depending on the situation.
If you have time before a planned consultation, write down your questions.
Is this definitely appendicitis?
Has the appendix ruptured?
Do I need surgery now?
Is laparoscopic surgery suitable for me?
What are the risks of waiting?
How long will recovery take?
When can I return to normal activities?
Understanding the answers can make an unexpected surgery feel much less overwhelming.
Recovery depends on whether the appendicitis was uncomplicated or complicated and what type of procedure was performed.
Many patients recover relatively quickly after uncomplicated laparoscopic appendectomy.
Your surgeon will give specific instructions about eating, activity, wound care, medicines and warning signs after discharge.
Even after the appendix has been removed, don't ignore worsening pain, fever, wound problems or other new symptoms during recovery.
Contact your medical team if something does not seem right.
Seek urgent medical evaluation when you develop persistent or worsening abdominal pain, particularly pain that moves to the lower right side and is accompanied by nausea, fever or loss of appetite.
Not necessarily. Some carefully selected patients may be treated with antibiotics, but surgery remains a common treatment, particularly when complications or a high risk of progression are present.
Recovery varies by patient and by the severity of appendicitis. Uncomplicated laparoscopic cases often recover faster than cases involving perforation or an abscess. Your surgeon can provide a more specific timeline.
If abdominal pain is persistent, worsening or accompanied by fever and nausea, don't assume it is simply gas or indigestion.
Appendicitis can progress quickly, and early assessment can help prevent complications.
If you have symptoms suggesting appendicitis or have been diagnosed with an appendix-related condition, seek prompt medical evaluation and speak with Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal about the appropriate treatment option.